Fake Plumber Steals From Office Workers

SHERMAN OAKS—A man who was claiming to be a plumber has been accused of stealing from office workers. The office building, located near Ventura and Sepulveda Boulevard was reportedly burglarized on Friday, August 31.

In video footage posted by KTLA, a man in a light blue button down shirt is seen walking in to a waiting room. He then said, “Just so you know, we’re doing some work. One of the pipes busted upstairs, so we have to turn water on for the emergency. If you guys do need the restroom, you have about 5 minutes, then the whole building is going to be off.”

The suspect used the same cover story to burglarize various offices. After informing employees inside the building they had little time to use the restroom, employees headed to the bathroom. According to Max Escari, who spoke with KTLA news that was when the suspect rummaged through the office and staff personal belongings. He stole cash from several employees.

“You wouldn’t think that somebody is going to walk to your office, middle of the day, go to your purse, take out your wallet, take out the cash, and walk away,” Escari told KTLA news. “We want this news to just get out so everybody else can understand how easily they can be scammed.”

The suspect is still on the loose. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.